Modular wiring system

ABSTRACT

In at least one embodiment, there is an electrical device comprising a functional module comprising a housing having a front face and a back face, and at least three arcuate blades extending out from the housing. At least one of the arcuate blades has a locking section. The functional module can be used in a wiring system comprising at least one wiring module. The wiring module can include a housing having a front face and a back face and at least one opening for receiving at least one of the at least three arcuate blades. The disclosure can also include a wiring module which can be used separately from the functional module wherein the wiring module includes a housing having at least one movable arm. Inside the wiring module is a plurality of contacts disposed in the housing, wherein these contacts are configured to couple to electrical wiring.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/194,898 filed on Jul. 29, 2011 the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

One embodiment of the invention relates to a functional module, anotherembodiment relates to a wiring module and another embodiment relates toa modular wiring system having locking elements. Other patents which mayrelate to any one of the embodiments listed below are: U.S. Pat. No.7,955,096, which issued on Jun. 7, 2011; U.S. Pat. No. 7,666,010 whichissued on Feb. 23, 2010; U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,652 which issued on Apr.15, 2008; or, U.S. Pat. No. D618,627 which issued on Jun. 29, 2010; U.S.Pat. No. D616,831 which issued on Jun. 1, 2010, wherein the disclosuresof these patents are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, there is an electrical device comprising afunctional module comprising a housing having a front face and a backface, and at least three arcuate blades extending out from the housing.At least one of the at least three arcuate blades has a locking section.

In at least one embodiment, there is a functional module that does notinclude center ground pin, but rather includes a ground blade arrangedconcentrically around a center region. This design, which removes themore costly posts, allows for a less expensive method for manufacture.This is because the part can be punched, stamped or molded in placeusing a less costly manufacturing technique, rather than having to bemachined on a lathe.

The functional module can be used in a wiring system comprising at leastone wiring module. The wiring module can include a housing having afront face and a back face and at least one opening for receiving atleast one of the at least three arcuate blades.

The invention can also include a wiring module which can be usedseparately from the functional module, wherein the wiring moduleincludes a housing having at least one movable arm. The movable arm canbe used for selectively securing the wiring module against rotation.Inside the wiring module is a plurality of contacts disposed in thehousing, wherein these contacts are configured to couple to electricalwiring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings which disclose at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawingsare designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as adefinition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a functional module;

FIG. 1B is a side perspective view of the functional module;

FIG. 1C is a back perspective view of a first embodiment of a functionalmodule;

FIG. 1D is a back perspective view of a second embodiment of afunctional module;

FIG. 2A is a side view of the functional module shown in any one ofFIGS. 1A-1D;

FIG. 2B is a back view of the functional module shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B,and 1C;

FIG. 2C is a back view of the functional module shown in FIGS. 1A, 1Band 1D;

FIG. 3A is a back perspective view of another embodiment of a functionalmodule;

FIG. 3B is a back perspective view of another embodiment of a functionalmodule;

FIG. 4A is a back view of the functional module of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4B is a back view of the functional module of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 5 is a back perspective exploded view of a wiring module andfunctional module;

FIG. 6A is a first side perspective view of a contact for the wiringmodule;

FIG. 6B is an opposite side perspective view of a contact for the wiringmodule;

FIG. 6C is a first side perspective view of a front portion for thewiring module;

FIG. 6D is an opposite side perspective view of the front portion of thewiring module;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an inside face of the back portion ofthe wiring module;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an outside face of the back portion ofthe wiring module;

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of an inside face of a second embodimentback portion of a wiring module;

FIG. 7D is a back perspective view of a front portion of the wiringmodule;

FIG. 7E is a close-up sectional view taken from section A in FIG. 7D;

FIG. 8 is a perspective front face view of an assembled wiring modulehaving a cover;

FIG. 9A is an alternative front perspective view of the wiring module inunassembled form;

FIG. 9B is a front perspective view of the wiring module with a frontcover in a closed position;

FIG. 10A is a back view of the wiring module coupled to a functionalmodule in a first unsecured position with the back portion of the wiringmodule removed;

FIG. 10B is a back view of the wiring module coupled to a functionalmodule in a second coupled position with the back portion of the wiringmodule removed;

FIG. 10C is a close-up sectional view taken from section B in FIG. 10B;

FIG. 11A is a back view of another embodiment of a functional modulehaving an additional arcuate blade;

FIG. 11B is a front perspective view of a wiring module having anadditional opening for the additional blade of the functional module ofthe embodiment in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a back view of another embodiment of a functional modulehaving a movable arm; and

FIG. 12B is a back view of another embodiment of a functional modulehaving a movable arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B show an electrical deviceincluding: a functional module 5 including a housing 10 having a frontface 15 and a back face 13 (FIG. 1D). There is a functional element 11which can be any type of functional element associated with thefunctional module. In this embodiment the functional element is aswitch. However, the functional element can be, but not limited to, anyone of a switch, a receptacle, a combination device, a fault circuitinterrupter, an occupancy sensor, a remote controlled home automationmodule, nightlight or light combination device such as that shown inU.S. Pat. No. 7,862,350 to Richter, which issued on Jan. 4, 2011 thedisclosure hereby being incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, or any other type of functional element known in the art. Thefunctional module 5 can be configured to be installed into a wallbox,such as a wall mounted box 19 (see FIG. 2A) which can be (but notlimited to) in the form of a single gang enclosure. The dimensions of asingle gang enclosure are generally known in the art and are configuredto receive a standard wall mounted electrical device, such as a switch,a duplex receptacle, an occupancy sensor, a combination device, etc.

Housing 10 includes a front portion 14 and a back portion 12. Frontportion 14 is configured to be coupled to back portion 12, in any knownmanner and has a front face 15. A strap 20 is coupled to front portion14 and includes a first end 22 and a second end 24. In addition, thereare securing elements (i.e. screws 26 a and 26 b) which are, or can becoupled to the strap, and are configured to secure the functional moduleto an associated wall box.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, there is at least one prong or blade 32extending from a back face 13 (see FIGS. 1C and 1D) of the functionalmodule 5.

As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, extending out from the back face 13 are atleast three arcuate blades 32, 34, 36, and 38 extending out from housing10 (see FIG. 1A) wherein at least one of the at least three arcuateblades has a locking section. For example, arcuate blade 32 includes afirst section 32 a and a second section 32 b. First section 32 aincludes a gap 32 c which allows arcuate blade 32 to engage with anassociated or complementary housing of an associated wiring module toform a secure connection.

Similarly, arcuate blade 38 also includes a first section 38 a, a secondsection 38 b and a gap or opening 38 c which allows blade 38 toengage/lock with a corresponding or complementary housing of anassociated wiring module (see FIG. 10B). As shown with contacts 32 and38, at least one of the arcuate blades is essentially L-shaped.

As shown in FIG. 1C, there is longitudinal line 131 and latitudinal line13 w. Longitudinal line 131 shows the longitudinal extension or lengthof housing 10, while latitudinal line 13 w shows the width of housing10. Latitudinal line 13 w also bisects back face 13 showing that theblades 32, 34, 36 and 38 (as shown in FIG. 1C) or blades 32, 34, and 38(as shown in FIG. 1D) extend from one half of the back face 13. Theseblades extend from one side or end of back face 13 so that wiring on anassociated wiring module can extend parallel to the back face.

In addition, back face 13 comprises a plurality of different sections.For example, there is a first section 13.1 that is on one side oflongitudinal line 131, a second section 13.2 that is on an opposite sideof longitudinal line 131, and a third section 13.3 that is in a centerregion along longitudinal line 131. Third section 13.3 is an indentedsection which includes at least one (and in this embodiment two)connection elements 13.4 and 13.5 extending from section 13.3. Theseconnection elements can be in the form of rivets, which engage withstrap 20 and configured to connect to a plate 50, thereby electricallycoupling strap 20 to plate 50.

In addition, at least one of the arcuate blades, such as blade 34, iselectrically coupled to a strap, such as strap 20. While strap 20 iscoupled to a front face 15 of functional module 5, the blade 34 extendsto the strap to form a grounded blade for the device. In addition, plate50 is configured as a grounding plate coupled to back face 13 in theregion of third section 13.3. Third section 13.3 is configured as anindented section, or below surface channel for contacting plate 50.Plate 50 can be any element which can provide grounding to theelectrical device. For example, plate 50 can be a conductor such asmetal (i.e. copper, brass, etc.) or any other conductor which can becoupled to arcuate blade 34 to provide grounding contact to arcuateblade 34. Thus, the connection of arcuate blade 34 to plate 50 forms anelectrical connection from strap 20 to back plate 50 and to blade 34.

In addition, the electrical connection is formed by rivets 13.4 and 13.5electrically connecting both elements together. Plate 50 can be of anysuitable shape but in this case is formed as a plate having connectionelements at each end. These connection elements comprise holes 52 and 54which are configured to receive rivets 13.4 and 13.5 of back face 13 sothat plate 50 can be coupled on to back face 13. Thus, because in thisembodiment, blade 34 is grounded, at least two of the arcuate bladessuch as blades 32 and 38 are electrically isolated from blade 34. Forexample, blade 32 can be for coupling to a phase line, while blade 38can be for coupling to a neutral line or vice versa. Blade 36 can thenbe configured to be coupled to a line (i.e. control line) such as for athree way switch. As shown in FIG. 1C, these blades are formed aroundconcentric reference circles and without a center prong. For example,first reference circle 31 a is formed concentric or substantiallyconcentric with second reference circle 31 b about a central rotationalaxis 39 formed on a center region of a back face 13 of the housing 10.Both reference circles 31 a, 31 b and rotational axis 39 are shown indashed-dotted lines to show that they are simply shown as points ofreference for the arrangement and shape of blades 32, 34, 36, and 38. Asshown in FIG. 1D, if only three blades are used, then the blade 36 isnot present, however the remaining blades 32, 34, and 38 can be arrangedaround the reference circles. These reference circles and thearrangement of the blades are also shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C as well.

In addition, extending from housing 10, and in particular extending fromback face 13 of housing 10, are non-conductive connection elements 42,44, and 46. Non-conductive connection elements include a connectionelement 42, which is configured as an L-shaped connection element havinga first part 42 a and a second part 42 b. First part 42 a extends outsubstantially perpendicular to back face 13, while second part 42 bforms a retention feature and extends substantially parallel to backface 13 and substantially perpendicular to first part 42 a.

The second non-conductive connection element 44 comprises an arcuate orcircular shaped connection element 44, which serves as a guide for anassociated wiring module in its rotation from an unconnected state to aconnected state (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). The third non-conductiveconnection element 46 includes a block or post which forms a lockingpost and configured to form a lock with an associated coupling elementof a wiring module (see, for example, movable arm 120). Third connectionelement 46 can be in the form of an S-shaped locking post.

The two embodiments shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D are configured such that ifthe functional elements are in the form of a switch the embodiment ofFIG. 1C is a three way switch while the embodiment of FIG. 1D is asingle pole switch.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of an electrical device showing arcuate blade38 extending out in a L-shaped manner and including a first section 38a, a second section 38 b, and an open section 38 c. The open section 38c serves along with first section 38 a as a locking section to allow theblade to be secured to a corresponding contact of a wiring module andprevent undesirable dislocation of the wiring module from the functionalmodule.

FIG. 2B shows the back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1C, and FIG. 2Cshows the back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1D. FIG. 2B shows a backview of an electrical device which shows blades 32, 34, 36 and 38 andnon-conductive connection elements 42, 44, and 46 as well as a moredetailed view of plate 50. As shown, blade 34 is coupled to plate 50,wherein plate 50 has cut out sections 53 and 55 surrounding theconnection with blade 34. In addition, back face 13 is shown in greaterdetail which shows additional sections or configurations 13.1 a and 13.2a. Section or configuration 13.2 a is an extension of section 13.2 whichallows additional room for blade 36. Section 13.1 a is an indent insection 13.1 which allows additional room for blade 34. In addition, asshown in this view, non-conductive connection element 46 is shown as alocking block 46 having three parts, 46 a, 46 b, and 46 c wherein thisnon-conductive connection element forms an S-shaped connection elementconfigured to selectively lock to an associated housing of a wiringmodule. First part 46 a is an initial contact section for contacting alocking arm of an associated wiring module as the wiring module is beingrotated from an unlocked position to a locked position. Second section46 b forms a locking stop that prevents the counter rotation of anassociated wiring module once it is rotated into place. Third section 42c is configured to stop or prevent additional rotation of a wiringmodule arm.

In addition, FIG. 2C shows holes 52 and 54 which are formed in plate 50and configured to receive associated connection elements or rivets 13.4and 13.5. FIG. 2C also shows that plate 50 has holes 52 and 54 allowingarcuate blade 34 to be formed integral with plate 50 by folding themetal.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show two different embodiments which are configuredsimilar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and 2A-2C, but theembodiments in FIGS. 3A and 3B do not contain a plate, such as plate 50.Therefore, the configuration or embodiment of FIG. 3A is a three wayswitch, while the configuration or embodiment of FIG. 3B is a singlepole switch. As shown in FIG. 3B, section 46 b includes a beveled edge,allowing a movable arm of an associated wiring module to slide againstthis stop region during rotation. In addition, section 46 c is anelement which forms a rotational lock and locks the device againstrotation. In these embodiments, blade 35 extends entirely through thehousing 10 a and therefore to a front face such as to strap 20, therebyremoving any need for an additional plate. In these embodiments, thereis also shown in body 10 a a set of indents 19 a and 19 b for rivets13.4 and 13.5 (see FIG. 1C) or 23 a and 23 b (see FIG. 4A). There isalso shown an opening for receiving a screw or other fastener forsecuring the strap to a wallbox.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a back view of the embodiments in FIGS. 3A and 3B.These views show the concentric reference circles 31 a and 31 b, withreference circle 31 a being formed concentric with reference circle 31b, and form an outline for blades 32, 34, 36 and 38. Because theseblades 32, 34, 36 and 38 are formed or aligned based upon theseconcentric reference circles 31 a and 31 b, the wiring module 100 (seeFIG. 5) can rotate about a single central axis.

FIG. 5 is a back perspective exploded view of the modular wiring systemwhich discloses a functional module 5, and a wiring module 100. Wiringmodule 100 is configured in an exploded view and includes a housing 105comprising a front housing section 110 and a back housing section 140.Disposed inside of housing 105 are lines or wires 130 which each includeline contacts 132, 134, 136 and 138. Coupled to each of these linecontacts 132, 134, 136, and 138 are respective lines or wires 133, 135,137, and 139. Each of these contacts 132, 134, 136 and 138 are formedsubstantially identical to each other.

FIG. 6A shows a first perspective side view of any one of contacts 132,134, 136 and 138 while FIG. 6B shows an opposite perspective side viewof these contacts. Each contact contains a first section 132.1 forreceiving a blade, and a second section 132.2 for crimping onto a wire.First section 132.1 includes a substantially curved blade section 132.3having an opening or a hole 132.5 disposed therein. Positioned oppositeor substantially opposite of curved blade section 132.3 is asubstantially flat section 132.4 having an indentation 132.6.Indentation 132.6 is formed to accommodate blades of differingthicknesses. For example, if thinner blades are being used, indentation132.6 can be made more prominent. Alternatively, if thicker blades areused then indentation 132.6 can be made less prominent to accommodate ablade of a larger thickness. Thus, these coupling contacts 132 can bemade with varying sized openings by only controlling the level of theindent 132.6 that is stamped. FIG. 6B shows an opposite side of the samecontact 132 with opening or hole 132.7 positioned therein, which allowsthe contact to be coupled to housing 120 via any one of coupling posts111 b, 113 b, 115 b, and 117 b (see FIG. 6C).

FIG. 6C shows a back perspective view of front housing section 110 whichincludes channels 111, 113, 115, and 117. These channels are formed byinterior walls 111 a, 113 a, and 117 a. In addition, there are aplurality of blade openings 114, 116, 118 and 119 (FIG. 6D), which areshown formed in front face 110 a. Accordingly, these blade openings areformed around concentric or substantially concentric reference circles110 b and 110 c. Reference circle 110 b is formed concentric withreference circle 110 c so that these blade openings allow blades 32, 34,36, and 38 to rotate about these reference circles to form a positivelock. Accordingly, because these reference circles are only being shownas a point of reference, they are shown in dashed-dotted lines. Disposedinside of channels 111, 113, 115 and 117 are coupling posts 111 b 113 b,115 b and 117 b, which are configured to connect to contacts 132, 134,136 and 138.

There is also a movable arm 120 which has a first end 120 a and a secondend 120 b. The first end 120 a of movable arm 120 extends from housing110 and the second end 120 b of movable arm 120 is an open free end. Asan example, movable arm 120 having a first end 120 a can be moldedintegral with housing 110, which forms a natural or leaf spring or livespring, while the distal second end 120 b is free to move. An expandedsection 120 c is also associated with movable arm 120 and forms a rim orflange. This expanded section 120 c is configured to extend above a backrim of a functional module housing body. In this way, if a user wantedto release wiring module 100 from functional module 5, the user couldsimply press on expanded section 120 c driving expanded section 120 cinto gap region 124 thereby allowing the wiring module 100 to move orcounter rotate. Disposed the housing, opposite of the movable arm 120,is a connecting flange 129 which includes a stop 129 a, whereinconnecting flange 129 is configured to interact or mesh with connectionelement 42, by sliding under connection element overhang 42 b.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show additional back plate 140 which has an inner side141 and which has a series of gaps or indents 142, 143, 144 and 145 toaccommodate different elements associated with the wiring module. Forexample, gap or indent 142 is for receiving contact end 132.1. Gap oropening 143 is for receiving associated walls 161 a and 165 a which aredisposed on an opposite front body section 110. An additional opening orrecess 145 is configured to receive a portion of wall 113 a as well. Inaddition, there are a plurality of openings or recesses 146 forreceiving wires into the interior of the body. The opposite face 147 ofback section 140 serves as an outer face.

FIGS. 7C and 7D are alternative embodiments, wherein the back section150 of a wiring module includes gaps or indents 151 a, 151 b, 151 c and151 d which are box shaped indents and configured to receive thecoupling section 132.1 of contacts 132, 134, 136 and 138. In addition,there are elongated indents 152 a and 152 b which are configured toreceive corresponding walls 161 a, or 165 a. Furthermore, there is acorresponding elongated indent 153 which is configured to receive wall163 a. There is also an indent 154 which is configured to receive thecoupling arm 120, and a plurality of retention or snap posts 154 a, 154b, 154 c, 154 d, 154 e and 155. These snap posts 154 a, 154 b, 154 c,154 d, 154 e and 155 snap into corresponding recesses 164 a, 164 b, 164c, 164 d, 164 e and 164 f forming a snap fit connection. Each recess,such as recess 164 a, includes a guide channel 164.1 and a correspondingsnap in flange 164.2 as shown in FIG. 7E. Thus, when a correspondingcover such as back section 150 is coupled into front cover 160, it formsa retention fit connection, thereby resulting in a semi-permanentcoupling of the two housings. This back section 150 can also includechannel openings 156 for receiving corresponding wires or lines 130.

Front cover 160 includes channels 161, 163, 165 and 167 which are eachconfigured to receive corresponding contacts such as contacts 132, 134,136 and 138. In addition, these channels are formed by correspondingwalls 161 a, 163 a, and 165 a. These walls are configured to dividethese channels into different channels. In addition, disposed inside ofeach of these channels are fixing posts 161 b, 163 b, 165 b, and 167 c.These fixing posts are configured to allow contacts such as contacts132, 134, 136 and 138 to be fixed inside of each of these channels.

In addition, adjacent to channel 167 at an end opposite movable arm 120,there is a connecting flange 167 a, including a stop 167 b which isconfigured to intermesh or interconnect with flange or overhang 42 b toform a secure connection.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a front cover 160 of a wiring module whichincludes arm 120 having first coupling end 120 a, distal second end 120b, and expanded section 120 c. In addition, there are arcuate openings166 a, 166 b, 166 c, 166 d, which are each for receiving arcuate bladesthat are inserted therein, such as arcuate blades 32, 34, 36, and 38. Asdescribed above, the arcuate openings 166 a, 166 b, 166 c, and 166 d areeach formed around concentric reference circles 162 a, and 162 b whichare shown with dashed-dotted lines serving as reference points. Each ofthe contacts, such as contacts 132, 134, 136 and 138, is coupled to anassociated power distribution line such as lines 133, 135, 137, and 139.Each of these lines 133, 135, 137, and 139 is connectable to a powersource. In addition, recesses 164 a, 164 b, 164 c, and 164 d aredisposed inside of front cover 160. Cover 169, which is essentially ashielding cover or dust cover, is shown connected to front cover 160 viaa living hinge 169 e. There are also arcuate insertion elements orsections 169 a, 169 b, 169 c, and 169 d which fit corresponding arcuateopenings 166 a, 166 b, 166 c 166 d to form a closed or sealed cover asshown in FIG. 9B. FIG. 9A shows a three dimensional drawing version ofthis design as well, which shows an indent 160 a that corresponds tosnap post 155.

FIG. 10A shows a first position for wiring device 100 which ispositioned in a first connecting position prior to rotation. In thisposition, arcuate blades 32, 34, 36, and 38 are configured to insertinto corresponding contacts 132, 134, 136, and 138. In addition, body105 is configured in a pre-rotation orientation wherein there is anarcuate guide post 44 which is configured to guide a corner of body 105around this arcuate shape so that body 105 can be rotated into its finalposition. In addition, in this view and in this position, there is shownconnecting flange 167 a having stop 167 b positioned to the right ofconnection element 42. At an opposite end of this wiring module 100,there is movable arm 120. Movable arm 120 is positioned below post 46 sothat movable arm 120 is configured to move or rotate on its own flexiblehinge or living hinge such that during rotation this movable arm movesinto recess region 124 to allow the wiring device 100 to continue torotate.

FIG. 10B shows the wiring device in its rotated position. In thisposition, each of the arcuate blades 32, 34, 36, and 38 is moved into acontact position with associated contacts 132, 134, 136, and 138, andthis contact position results in both sides of the blade being inelectrical contact with the contact. In this position, connecting flange167 a is moved into connecting position with connection element 42 suchthat connecting flange 167 a intermeshes with connection element 42 byinserting between overhang 42 b and body section 10 of the functionaldevice. In addition, in this position the corner region of body 10 hasalso rotated past arcuate guide 44. Furthermore, movable arm 120 hasmoved around post 46 such that movable arm 120 has rotated alongrotation axis 190 (See FIG. 10C) and is stopped from moving counterclockwise in a direction of arrow 191 because it is stopped by stopelement 46 b. Movable arm 120 is also stopped from further rotation in abending movement along rotational axis 190 away from gap 124 viarotation stop 46 c. However, in this position, extension section 120 cextends up a sufficient distance to allow a user to push on the distalsecond end 120 b of movable arm 120 to push movable arm 120 into gap oropen region 124 so that the wiring device can be selectively rotatedback to an unlocked position, by rotating wiring device 100 in a counterclockwise manner.

While the above embodiment has been described as being able to rotate ina clockwise manner from an unlocked position to a locked position, it ispossible and within the spirit and scope of this disclosure to create anopposite design wherein the device can be rotated in a counter clockwisemanner from an unlocked position to a locked position as well.

FIG. 11A is a back view of another embodiment of a functional modulehaving an additional arcuate blade. This additional functional module 6includes an additional arcuate blade 37. Therefore, the different bladescan be used for connection of two different sets of wiring as well as aground line. For example, blades 32 and 38 can be configured to connectto power input lines such as a line side phase line and a line sideneutral line. Blade 34 is a ground blade for connection to a groundline, while blades 36 and 37 can be configured to connect to a differentset of downstream lines such as a load side phase line and a load sideneutral line. In this way if the functional module is configured as aground fault circuit interrupter, the electrical energy provided to thefunctional module from the connection of blades 32 and 38 to powerdistribution lines can then be selectively disconnected from the outputelectrical energy provided by blades 36 and 37. Therefore, when contactssuch as bridged contacts are connected, power can be passed from blades32 and 38 to blades 36 and 37 and then to corresponding contacts insidean associated wiring module and then to downstream lines which arecoupled to the wiring module. These downstream lines can then be coupledto a downstream distribution line to provide power to another downstreamload such as another functional module. These arcuate blades arearranged concentrically with respect to each other without a centralground pin. For example, a first set of arcuate blades 32 and 38 arearranged around a first reference circle 31 a, a second set of arcuateblades 34 and 36 are arranged around a second reference circle 31 b, anda third set of arcuate blades 37 is arranged around another arcuatereference circle 31 c. Each of these reference circles 31 a, 31 b and 31c are arranged concentric with relation to each other and each of thesereference circles are shown in dashed dotted lines to show that whilethere are no actual physical circles, the associated blades are in atleast this embodiment, arranged concentric around these referencecircles.

FIG. 11B is a front view of a wiring module 260 which includes fivearcuate blade openings. Blade openings 166 a and 166 d are configured toreceive blades 32 and 38, while blade openings 166 b and 166 c areconfigured to receive blades 34 and 36, while blade opening 166 e isconfigured to receive blade 37. Furthermore, a fifth line 135 a extendsout from this wiring module so that lines 133 and 139 form powerdistribution lines providing power to contacts associated with openings166 a and 166 d, while lines 135 a and 137 are associated with thecontacts associated with openings 166 b and 166 c, forming power loadlines for coupling to a line associated with a downstream load, whileline 135 is associated with the opening 166 e forming a ground line forconnection to a ground. There is also an additional insertion element169 f to cover over the additional opening 166 e. Each of these bladeopenings are arranged in concentrically arranged sets based uponconcentric reference circles. For example, openings 166 a and 166 d arearranged around a first reference circle 161 a, openings 166 b and 166 care arranged around another reference circle 162 b, while opening 166 eis arranged around another reference circle 161 c. Each of thesereference circles 162 a, 162 b, and 162 c are concentric with each otheraround a central axis 162 d. These reference circles are shown in dasheddotted lines because they do not physically exist, but rather serve as aguide showing how each of the sets of openings is arranged.

FIG. 12A is a back view of another embodiment of a functional modulehaving a movable arm. In this embodiment, there is a simple movable arm42 c which is movable when an associated wiring module is rotated froman unsecured position to a secured position.

FIG. 12B is a back view of another embodiment of a functional modulehaving a movable arm. In this view there is an arm 242 which has a firstfixed end 242 a which is coupled to housing 49 at a first end, and whichhas a free opposite end. This free opposite end 242 b is configured tomove when an associated wiring module is rotated from an unconnected orunsecured position to a secured position such as shown in FIGS. 10A and10B. Expanded section 242 c of arm 242 forms a flange which forms asecuring device or lock to secure the wiring module against rotationback to an unsecured state.

Accordingly, while at least one embodiment of the present invention hasbeen shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes andmodifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical device comprising: a functionalmodule comprising: a housing having a front face and a back face; astrap coupled to the housing, the strap configured to engage a wall box;and at least three arcuate blades extending out from said back face onsaid housing wherein at least one of said at least three arcuate bladeshas a locking section and wherein at least one of said at least threearcuate blades is coupled to an electrical ground, said at least threearcuate blades comprising a first arcuate blade spaced a first distancefrom an axis of the functional module and a second arcuate blade spaceda second distance from said axis, wherein said first distance does notequal said second distance.
 2. The electrical device as in claim 1,wherein the axis is the axis of rotation of the electrical device. 3.The electrical device as in claim 1, further comprising a wiring modulewherein the axis is the axis of rotation of the wiring module when saidwiring module is coupled to said functional module.
 4. The electricaldevice as in claim 1, wherein said at least three arcuate blades areconcentric with each other.
 5. The electrical device as in claim 1,further comprising a ground plate wherein at least one of said at leastthree arcuate blades is coupled to said ground plate.
 6. The electricaldevice as in claim 5, wherein said ground plate is electrically coupledto said strap.
 7. The electrical device as in claim 1, wherein thefunctional module is configured to be installed into a wall box and isselected from the group consisting of a receptacle, a switch, acombination device, a fault circuit interrupter, an occupancy sensor, aremote controlled home automation module, a nightlight.
 8. Theelectrical device as in claim 3, wherein the wiring module comprises ahousing comprising: a front cover comprising at least one recess,wherein said at least one recess comprises a guide channel and acorresponding snap in a flange; and a back section comprising at leastone snap posts configured to snap into said at least one recess.
 9. Theelectrical device as in claim 3, wherein said wiring module furthercomprises: a) a housing; b) a plurality of fixing posts disposed in saidhousing; c) a plurality of contacts disposed in said housing andconfigured to be secured in said housing via said fixing posts.
 10. Theelectrical device as in claim 5, wherein said strap is coupled to saidfront face of said housing and said ground plate is coupled to said backface of said housing.
 11. The electrical device as in claim 1, furthercomprising a wiring module.
 12. The electrical device as in claim 11,wherein said wiring module further comprises at least one contactcomprising a substantially flat section, and a substantially curvedsection.
 13. The electrical device as in claim 12, further comprising anindentation formed on said flat section, said indentation extending intosaid curved section.
 14. The electrical device as in claim 13, whereinsaid curved section has an opening for receiving said indentation onsaid flat section.
 15. The electrical device as in claim 11 wherein saidwiring module further comprises: a housing having a plurality ofopenings for receiving said at least three arcuate blades; a covercoupled to said wiring module for covering said plurality of openings;at least one hinge comprising a living hinge coupling said cover to saidhousing.
 16. The electrical device as in claim 15, wherein said at leastone wiring module further comprises at least one flexible arm which isconfigured to flex when said functional module is coupled to said wiringmodule.
 17. The electrical device as in claim 16, wherein said at leastone flexible arm is attached at a first end to said housing and is freeat an opposite end.
 18. The electrical device as in claim 16, whereinsaid wiring module housing further comprises at least one couplingelement and wherein said at least one coupling element is disposed on aside opposite said at least one flexible arm.
 19. An electrical devicecomprising: a functional module comprising: a housing having a frontface and a back face; a strap coupled to said housing, said strapconfigured to engage a wall box; and at least three arcuate bladesextending out from said back face of said housing, wherein at least oneof said arcuate blades has a locking section and wherein at least one ofsaid arcuate blades is coupled to an electrical ground, said at leastthree arcuate blades comprising a first arcuate blade positioned on afirst concentric circle with respect to an axis and a second arcuateblade positioned on a second concentric circle with respect to saidaxis.
 20. The electrical device as in claim 19, further comprising: awiring module comprising: a housing having a front face and a back face;at least one opening for receiving at least one of said at least threearcuate blades; at least one flexible arm which is configured to flexwhen said functional module is coupled to said wiring module; at leastone coupling element, wherein said at least one coupling element isdisposed on a side opposite said at least one flexible arm wherein saidat least one coupling element is configured to stop said wiring modulefrom rotation relative to said functional module in a first direction,or to stop said functional module from rotation relative to said wiringmodule in said first direction, and said at least one movable arm isconfigured to stop said wiring module from rotation relative to saidfunctional module in an opposite direction to said first direction or tostop said functional module from rotation relative to said wiring modulein said opposite direction.
 21. The electrical device as in claim 19,wherein at least one first arcuate blade of said at least three arcuateblades is configured to receive power from a power distribution line andat least one second blade of said at least three arcuate blades isconfigured to pass power to a load line.
 22. The electrical device as inclaim 19, further comprising a wiring module wherein the axis is theaxis of rotation of the wiring module and wherein said at least threearcuate blades are concentric with each other on said axis.
 23. Theelectrical device as in claim 19, further comprising: a ground plate,wherein at least one of said at least three arcuate blades is coupled tosaid ground plate and wherein said ground plate is electrically coupledto said strap; and wherein the functional module comprises a switch.